Much sought after for his versatility both vocally and dramatically, Rod Nelman’s repertoire ranges from Richard Strauss, Verdi and Wagner to Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini. In 2012 Rod has return engagements with Utah Opera as Dr. Dulcamara in “L’Elisir d’Amore” where he has previously sung Mustafa in “L’Italiana in Algeri” and Ben Hubbard in “Regina”; Fort Worth Opera as both Dr. Bartolo in “Le Nozze di Figaro” and the Sacristan in “Tosca” where he has also performed Don Magnifico in “La Cenerentola”, Basilio in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia”, Mustafa in “L’Italiana in Algeri” and Dr Dulcamara in “L’Elisir d’Amore”, and Des Moines Metro Opera as Leporello in “Don Giovanni” where he recently sang the title role in “Don Pasquale” and Oscar Hubbard in “Regina”. Earlier this season he returned to the Metropolitan Opera as Dr. Bartolo (cover) in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” performed the title role in “Don Pasquale” with the North Shore Music Festival, and Monterone in “Rigoletto” with Michigan Opera Theater. He has also covered Henry Kissinger in “Nixon in China”, the Sacristan in “Tosca” and Gambler in “the Gambler” at the Metropolitan Opera
Artists at Encompass Arts
Ben Davis is quickly establishing himself as a crossover artist, able to bridge the worlds of Broadway and Opera. Most recently, Ben made his Lincoln Center debut to rave reviews in Kurt Weill’s, Knickerbocker Holiday, opposite Kelli O’Hara and Victor Garber. He made his film debut as Papageno in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute with James Conlon conducting (Venice & Toronto Film Festivals; Movie Soundtrack). Broadway credits include Stephen Sondheim’s, A Little Night Music, Javert in Les Miserables, Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Marcello in Baz Luhrmann’s La boheme (Tony Honor; Cast Recording) and Enjolras in Les Miserables.
Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs is recognized as one of the most exciting lirico-spinto sopranos on the international scene today. Critics have praised her virtuosic bel canto technique, the beauty of her voice, her pyrotechnic coloratura, and her unerring theatricality. Hailed as one of the best young Verdi singers by Placido Domingo, she appeared with him at at the Washington National Opera as Fedora.
Recently Elizabeth sang Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera on a live Sirius Satellite broadcast with tenor Marcello Giordani and Minnie in Palermo
Brendel grew up in Wiesbaden, where he took singing lessons with Rolff Sartorius during his time at the conservatory. In 1971, he debuted at the Pfalztheater in Kaiserslautern as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte. His artistic home for the greater part of his career was the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, where in 1977 he became the youngest Kammersänger in the company’s history. In some sense taking up the mantle of Josef Metternich, who had retired in 1971, Brendel established his primacy as the star Munich baritone of his era across an extraordinary range of roles, from Mozart (not only Guglielmo but Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, the title role in Don Giovanni) to Verdi (Germont in La traviata, Posa in Don Carlo, Renato in Un ballo in maschera, Carlo in La forza del destino, and di Luna in Il trovatore) and beyond.
Internationally acclaimed performing and recording artist, Maureen O’Flynn, garners enthusiastic praise from critics, peers and audiences, not only for her brilliant, soaring voice but also for her dramatic interpretations. Of her Violetta in Traviata, Richard Dyer of the Boston Globe wrote, “soprano Maureen O’Flynn is a complete and compelling singing actress”. Of an opening night performance of Roméo et Juliette at the Metropolitan Opera, The New York Times said the soprano “won a deserved ovation from the audience,” and Variety exclaimed, “not only a superb technician, with the full coloratura arsenal at her disposal, but a sensitive interpreter.”
Claire Primrose, Australian dramatic soprano, was acclaimed recently by international critics for her sensational Elektra at the Taiwan Festival of Arts by the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan under the baton of Shao-Chia Lü: “The soldout performance of Elektra by the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan may have been semi-staged, but props and set would have been a distraction: the drama sprang straight from the music. The effects on the audience in the National Concert Hall was electric. They jumped up applauding and cheering as soon as the last note died away.
Soprano Irina Iordachescu was born in Bucharest, in a family of musicians. In 2000 she graduated the Academy of Music in Bucharest, at the singing class of professor Maria Slatinaru Nistor and the lieder-oratorio class of professor Dan Iordachescu.
American baritone Jerett Gieseler’s recent portrayal of Gasparo in Donizetti’s Rita was hailed as “swaggeringly macho, robustly sung” by Opera News and allartsreview4u.com declared his “a powerful voice” of “great dignity and lyrical intensity.” Gieseler is a prizewinner of the 2010 Irene Dalis Competition, the 2009 Liederkranz Vocal Competition, Wagner Division; the 2009 Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition, Wagner Division; the 2007 Chester Ludgin Memorial Verdi Baritone Competition; and the recipient of two grants from the Wagner Society of New York.
American Tenor Simeon Esper has quickly established himself as a sought-after artist in both the United States and Europe. Guest appearances in the 2010/11 season include the role of Sam Kaplan in a new production of Weill’s STREET SCENE at the Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden, Pedrillo in DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Weill’s SEVEN DEADLY SINS at the Theater an der Wien, ein Junge Seemann/Ein Hirt in TRISTAN UND ISOLDE with Seattle Opera and ein Wirt in DER ROSENKAVALIER with San Diego Opera.
Internationally acclaimed tenor, Jesus Garcia, has performed on major stages all over the world. Specializing in the romantic roles of the Italian and French repertoire, his dynamic stage presence and soaring vocalism have made him one of opera’s most sought-after young rising stars. Mr. Garcia is the recipient of numerous awards including a 2003 Tony Award Honor for his work as Rodolfo in Baz Luhrmann’s production of Puccini’s La Boheme on Broadway. He has also been the winner of numerous competitions including Placido Domingo’s Operalia, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, those of the George London, the Licia Albanese, and the Marquerite McCammon International Vocal Competition.
Korean Soprano, Na Li Youm recently marked her Opera North debut performing Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and the Female Chorus in a scene from The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin Britten. During her 2009-10 season at the Academy of Vocal Arts, she performed the role of Mimi in La Boheme to which critics wrote, “Watch especially for soprano Na Li Youm, whose large yet intimate voice will take her far”. She also performed the role of Alice from Verdi’s Falstaff, and sang the Soprano Solo from Dvorak’s Stabat Mater with New Jersey Master Chorale while at the Academy of Vocal Arts.
Erica Miller recently returned from the Macau International Music Festival where she sang the role of Ännchen in Der Freischütz. In September she debuted as Marie in Daughter of the Regiment with Opera in the Heights. The Houston Chronicle raved, "(Erica Miller) mesmerizes us and takes us to that place of coloratura heaven where few have trod."
May marked her New York debut as Aspasia with the Little Opera Theater of New York in the first staged New York performances of Mozart's Mitridate.
Ms. Miller made her European debut in the fall of 2008 singing Königin der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, a role she has also performed at the Festival Internacional de Música de Almansa in Spain and at Opera North in New Hampshire.
Mihoko Kinoshita is recognized as a compelling interpreter of “Cio Cio San” in Madama Butterfly. Mihoko has performed the role at Vancouver, Detroit, Baltimore, Phoenix, Santa Margherita Festival, Belgrade, and Sofia opera houses. Ms. Kinoshita reprised the role at Royal Albert Hall in London, in the 2010-2011 season to great critical acclaim. Upcoming she will sing return to Vancouver Opera for “Liu” and return to Sofia for “Cio Cio San.”
The young American Bass Kevin Thompson is rapidly emerging as that rare breed of Basso Profundo possessing a commanding stage presence and a voice with extraordinary range, depth, and color. The excitement his performances generate has captured international acclaim: “He has a voluminous bass with its exquisite overtone-rich timbres and rafter-shaking sonority.”(Kieler Nachrichten); “A mountain of a voice, with resonance from the Escorial of Philip II, the throne of Boris Godunov, and the majestic court of Sarastro. Thompson delivered all the goods…..” (San Francisco Classical Voice).
Jonathan Winell, New York native, is known for his artistry, beautiful tone and easy top. He is a student of Patricia McCaffrey and has worked with Doris Jung Popper since 2002. He is a graduate of The Hartt School of Music and attended The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA). He has coached with Jane Klaviter since 2007 and now also coaches with Eve Queler, Bob Morrison and Kathy Olsen.
Tenor Jonathan Blalock is praised by Montreal’s La Presse for a “beautiful leggiero voice.”
His performances during the 2010-2011 season include Stevie in the world premiere of The Secret Agent with the Center for Contemporary Opera, Fenton in Falstaff with Mercury Opera, Jupiter in Semele as a guest artist with Kent State University, Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) with the International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI), Mozart’s Grand Mass in C Minor with the Eugene Concert Choir, and a return to Fort Worth Opera for Philip Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox. In 2011-2012 he will sing Handel’s Messiah with the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Lexington Philharmonic, further performances of The Secret Agent at The Armel Festival in Hungary, Carmina Burana with Las Cruces Symphony, and debut with Virginia Opera in Philip Glass’ Orphée. He will be an apprentice with The Santa Fe Opera in their 2012 festival season.
Lyric tenor Brian Jagde made his American tenor debut singing Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème for Syracuse Opera. His European debut in the title role in Massenet’s Werther was followed by a portrayal of Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth in March of 2010 for Teatr Wielki Opera Poznan in Poland. Brian performed Pinkerton in Virginia Opera’s 2011 production of Madama Butterfly. He sang Rodolfo for a production of La Bohème at Maestro Lorin Maazel’s Castleton Festival, where he covered Luigi and perform L’amante in their revival of Il Tabarro. In 2012, he will perform with the Minnesota Opera as Pinkerton, and make his Santa Fe Opera debut in productions of Tosca and Arabella
Born, raised and educated in the United States, Ivan Törzs has lived and worked in Europe since 1985, and has carved a career as one of the most versatile, cosmopolitan and experienced operatic conductors on the European scene. Fluent in nine languages, he is equally at home in German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish or American repertoire. Whether conducting Wagner’s Ring, a bel canto opera of Bellini or a Spanish zarzuela, he brings to all his interpretations a deep understanding of the culture, literature, and vocal and musical traditions that shaped the creation of that work.
Nina Warren is an internationally acclaimed artist, who has appeared in the most demanding interpretative dramatic parts on the stages of important theaters throughout the world. She has performed the title role in Salome with the Staatstheater Stuttgart, Baltimore Opera, Seattle Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Opera Pacific, as well as Dresden, Berlin, Frankfurt, Trieste, Antwerp, Ghent, Utah and Arizona and in concert with the Kölner Rundfunk Orchester, Bochum Symphony, Junge Deutsche Orchester with Lothar Zagrosek and at Indiana University with Julius Rudel. In her continuing expansion of demanding roles, Nina recently made her debut at the Teatro Pettruzzelli as Brünnhilde in Götterdämmerung which she follows by covering the same role at the Metropolitan Opera for the 2011-12 season.
Scott Williamson is the General and Artistic Director of Opera Roanoke, where he was an Associate Conductor, Chorus Master, and artist beginning in 1998. His debut production was a sold-out, critically acclaimed Madama Butterfly. In 2011-2012 he is in the pit for new productions of Il Trovatore and Carmen. He has conducted Rigoletto, Noye’s Fludde, The Old Maid and the Thief and led the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra in Gala concerts in 2006 & 2007. He has been an associate conductor for productions of La Boheme, Lucia di Lammermoor, L’elisir d’amore, La Cenerentola, Rigoletto, La Traviata and Le Nozze di Figaro.
Italian baritone Mario Bellanova returns from the summer spent in Japan and Australia. After having sung in the production of Teatro Reggio di Torino’s La Traviata with Maestro Noseda, he was invited on tour with the company to Tokyo. He then traveled to Adelaide, where he made his operatic concert debut to critical acclaim. Some of Mr. Bellanova’s most recent engagements include performances of Carmen at Caracalla, La Traviata at Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Andrea Chénier on tour in Japan with the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Tristan und Isolde at the Teatro di Roma, and Turandot at the Teatro de la Maestranza de Sevilla.
American baritone Eugene Chan is quickly becoming one of the leading artists of his generation. He garnered critical acclaim when he stepped in with less than 24 hours notice to sing Orff’s Carmina Burana at the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Bramwell Tovey, in July 2008. Mr. Chan has performed in many of the major cities throughout the world in repertoire that include’s the title role’s of Don Giovanni and Eugene Onegin, Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Il Conte Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Danilo (The Merry Widow), Schaunard (La bohème), Albert (Werther), Mr. Gedge (Albert Herring),
ELISE QUAGLIATA, mezzo-soprano, has gained notice over the past decade for the rich, unique beauty of her voice, her musical intelligence, her theatrical range and her riveting effect on audiences everywhere.
Having made a name for herself in contemporary as well as in traditional works, the artist recently stunned audiences with her heart-rending performance of Sister Helen in Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking. The Saint Louis Dispatch remarked that with her “dark, expressive voice” the artist gave the role an “authentic strength and humor,” while the final confession scene was performed with “throat-grabbing” intensity. Ms. Quagliata was also praised by The New York Times for her “rich, expressive voice and passionate delivery” of Mr. Heggie’s song cycle on Sister Helen’s prayers, The Deepest Desire, performed in Los Angeles and New York with the flutist Carol Wincenc, with the composer at the piano
Soprano Harolyn Blackwell is recognized for her expressive and exuberant performances, with a career that has spanned opera, concert and recital stages around the world. Following college, the Washington, D.C. native began her career on Broadway in Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story”. Shortly afterwards, she was selected as a finalist for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and her career path changed from musical theatre to opera. Since then, she has performed with many of the major national and international opera companies, and at festivals around the world, including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glyndebourne Festival,
Willy Falk has performed in many Broadway shows and appeared on operatic stages throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He is a graduate of Harvard University and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Willy received a Tony© Award nomination for his portrayal of “Chris” in the original Broadway production of Miss Saigon. He began his professional career as “Paul San Marco” in the Broadway Tour of A Chorus Line; playing over one hundred cities in the US. For his Broadway debut, he played ‘Tommy” in Marilyn: An American Fable, and his solo song from that show, “You Are So Beyond,” has become a Broadway cult favorite.
Italian lyric tenor Leonardo Caimi began 2011 with his February Beijing debut as Alfredo in La Traviata alongside Inva Mula and Juan Pons. In March, he reprised the role in the same production in Ascoli Piceno, Italy. He debuted at the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova as Pinkerton, followed by his debut at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari as Alfredo and then followed with the reprisal of his role as Errico Settebellizze in Nino Rota’s Napoli Milionaria.
The press has hailed her as “…a star of tomorrow, today.” They’ve said, “…when she sings, all she has to do is open her mouth and the notes spill out sweetly and effortlessly.” Regis Philbin called her “…a beautiful operatic singer. Boy oh boy, is she great! She’s really amazing!”
Melissa Zapin started as a soprano in Honolulu, Hawaii with little more than a big voice and an even bigger dream. Raised by a single mother in Hawaii, Melissa’s sheer determination and love of music kept her focused on her ultimate goal: to sing on the greatest stages in the world.
Edward Mout is a tenor who has been praised for his entertaining stage presence and his “mellifluously youthful tenor”. In the 2010-2011 season, Edward made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera as Postiglione in La fanciulla del west. In 2011, Edward will perform the Four Servants in Les Contes d’Hoffmann and Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd with the Wolftrap Opera Company and he will return to Lyric Opera of Chicago as Tanzmeister in Ariadne auf Naxos and Simpleton in Boris Godunov.
Metropolitan Opera Baritone, Gary Simpson, will sing Mephistopheles in Gounod’s Faust in Naples, Florida. Gary will also be traveling back to Romania in the Fall to sing HOLLAENDER in Der Fliegende Hollaender, with the Bucharest National Opera. Gary recently sang SCARPIA and PIZZARO in Frankfurt Germany this summer with Opera Classica Europa. Gary sang HOLLAENDER, his fifth production, in Cape Town, South Africa in January, 2011. In February Gary sang IAGO in Otello with the Arizona Opera as well as SCARPIA with the Shreveport Opera
Winner of numerous awards, tenor Derek Taylor is quickly becoming an important artist in America and Europe. His repertoire spans the central lyric Italian and French operas. Mr. Taylor ́s “ringing top” and “blazing good looks” have garnered much excitement in his first years in Switzerland.
The Los Angeles Times hailed Alan Dornak as “an impressive new countertenor on the scene” for his performance of Athamas in Handel’s Semele with the Long Beach Opera. Classics Today praised Mr. Dornak for “using his big countertenor voice with authority and accuracy” when he sang the role of Tauride in Handel’s Arianna in Creta with New York’s Gotham Chamber Opera. Mr. Dornak’s engagements in California, New York, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Spain and Brazil, have established him as an artist of international critical acclaim.
American spinto soprano Christina Lamberti has gained international attention with versatility of repertoire, gleaming tone, and soulful presence. She has not only garnered attention from portrayals at notable companies such as San Francisco Opera and Singapore Lyric Opera, but has also had a long standing relationship with the innovative Theatre Regensburg in Germany since 2006. For the 2008 Regensburg season, she sang numerous performances of the titles roles in Norma and in Manon Lescaut. In the 2006/07 season, she performed four major roles in repertory with astounding success and unprecedented ease.
Zachary James, bass baritone, is currently starring as LURCH in the Broadway production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Other Broadway credits include: HASSINGER in SOUTH PACIFIC at the Vivian Beaumont and CORAM BOY at the Imperial Theater. Zach also appeared as Petr in the Toymaker at the York Theater, Red Eye of Love at the Public Theater, Murder and Incantations (Zbigniew) at Theater 54, Ripper (Pizer) at New World Stages. Zach has appeared on television on 30 ROCK, THE GIFT and ESPN GREAT OUT-DOOR GAMES
“[Mr. Miller] sings with a hint of the heavens in his voice, investing the hero with a softness and strength that should make an audience member want to reach out and touch his hand.” - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Patrick made his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut in the roles of Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor and the First Philistine in Samson et Dalila during the 2003-04 season, going on to create the role of Dino (the groom) in Lyric’s World Premiere of A Wedding, composed by William Bolcom and directed by Robert Altman the follow season. Other honors that season included appearing as soloist in Lyric Opera’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Concert.
Italian bass Dario Russo will make his debut in 2011 at Teatro Regio di Torino, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. He will also appear in Torino in La Traviata (Dottore) directed by Laurent Pelly and Tosca (Angelotti) under M° Noseda. In 2010, he debuted in the role of Wagner in Gounod’s Faust at the Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini of Catania. In the fall of that same year, Mr. Russo made his Teatro Reggio di Parma debut in the role of Lord Bethune in I Vespri Siciliani alongside Nucci, Dessi, and F.Armiliato directed by Pier Luigi Pizzi which was recorded for DVD release. He then performed the role of the Bonze in Madama Butterfly at the Teatro di Jesi, Fermo and Brindisi.
Emily Righter will be singing Cherubino at the Tyrolean Festival in 2012. She will also sing Margaret in Wozzeck, Flora in la Traviata, Clomiri in Imeneo and Angelina/Tisbe in Cenerentola at the Salzburger Landestheater in the 2011-2012 season. In October 2011, Emily made her debut at Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society as the mezzo soloist in Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini.
Australian born soprano, Caroline Wenborne, has been singing regularly at the Vienna State Opera since 2007. In her previous season at the Vienna State Opera, Caroline performed Donna Anna in the new production of Don Giovanni. In January of 2011, she performed Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte and in April she also sang Fiordiligi in a concert performance of Cosi fan tutte in Athens with the Vienna State Opera. In November, Caroline will sing Gutrune in Götterdämmerung with Maestro Christian Thielemann at the Vienna State Opera. During the past two seasons in Vienna, Ms. Wenborne has performed and covered a large number of roles including, Countess (The Marriage of Figaro), Alcina (Alcina), Micaela (Carmen), Vitellia (La clemenza di Tito), Antonia (Contes D’Hoffman), Alice Ford (Falstaff), Amelia (Simon Boccanegra), Mimi (La bohème), Fifth Maidservant (Elektra), Anna (Nabucco), Echo (Ariadne auf Naxos), Ein junges Mädchen (Moses and Aaron), Clothilde (Norma), Gerhilde (Die Walküre), Isotta (Die Schweigsame Frau), and Blumen Mädchen(Parsifal).
John Paul Huckle, bass, is a native of Pittsburgh, PA. Most recently, he made his Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova debut in Gianni Schicchi with the great Rolando Panerai and in Der Zauberflöte, and will follow with the role of Colline in La Bohème. Other upcoming debuts include Monterone in Rigoletto at the Teatro Verdi di Pisa. 2011 also saw his return to the Festival of Belle-Île in France, as Colline in La Bohème. In the 2010-2011 season, John Paul joined the Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Teatro Regio in Torino as the top prize winner of the Opera Foundation Scholarship and he performed the role of Sparafucile at 2010 Lyrique-en-Mer/Festival of Belle-Île in France.
Upcoming engagements for soprano Jennifer O’Loughlin are Gilda and Queen of the Night at the Vienna Volksoper, Queen of the Night at the Hamburg State Opera in 2011, and Frau Fluth and Cunegonde at the Volksoper in 2012.
2009-10 season held a series of triumphs for American soprano JENNIFER O’LOUGHLIN at the Vienna Volksoper. Singing the fiesty Frau Fluth, Ms. O’Loughlin was hailed by the press as having “… mastered the role with her bell-like voice” in the December premiere of “Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor” (WHL/APA). Her recent performance of Konstanze in “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” was praised in Der Neue-Merker:
MICHAEL RECCHIUTI, Artistic Director of the American Opera Theater, and founding Principal Conductor of the New Jersey Opera Theater, is active internationally as a conductor, and as a pianist and accompanist. He has collaborated with stars of the international opera stage, Grammy and Tony award winners, and major musical theater personalities.
“The primary force on stage was Veronica Mitina, an assured actress who created a multidimensional, thoroughly believable portrayal of Tatiana, from the charming, naïve creature so easily blinded by Onegin’s visit to the resigned woman summoning the will power to reject his belated declaration of love. Mitina’s singing proved equally memorable. She delivered the letter scene with myriad tone colors and vivid phrasing and used her particularly rich low register to keen effect later in the opera.” — Tim Smith - Opera News
Lauded by the Washington Times for her “dynamic” and “captivating” performance, Ms. Mitina made her professional début singing Tatiana with Virginia Opera in 2008, returning the following season to bow as Mimì. Sought-after as a Puccini interpreter, Ms. Mitina has triumphed as Cio-Cio San (Lyrique-en-Mer Festival, France, Center City Opera), Tosca (Opera North, Lyrique-en Mer Festival), Mimì (Virginia Opera, Anchorage Opera) and Minnie (Opera New England). Other recent engagements include her début with Annapolis Opera singing Nedda in I Pagliacci, Tatiana with Anchorage Opera, and Contessa with Opera North (NH). In 2008 she made her Carnegie Hall
Dramatic soprano Kirsten Chambers is gaining attention for her exciting voice of remarkable beauty and power. Highly applauded by The Dallas Morning News for her “appealing high notes,” her voice “sustains a fullness that blossoms to a consistently brilliant top well-suited to Strauss and Wagner.” As an emerging professional, her featured repertoire includes the title roles of Salome, Turandot and Tosca, Elsa in Lohengrin, and Chrysothemis in Elektra. Ms. Chambers made her Lincoln Center debut to begin the 2011-12 season, starring in the soprano monodrama Nora, In the Great Outdoors with American Opera Projects. Upcoming events include a return to the title role of Tosca with the Martha Cardona Theater and a Dramatic Aria Reading with American Lyric Theater
J. Ernest Green, a frequent collaborator with Marvin Hamlisch, recently conducted at Wolf Trap. Maestro Green is the principal conductor at the McClean Symphony and a Cover Conductor with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he has worked with such artists as Metropolitan Opera star Denyce Graves, Sir James Galway, Pinchas Zuckerman and Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. Maestro Green also recently conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra
Cheryl Studer’s startling and brilliant career began at a very early age. After studying voice during high school and college, her promising talent caught Leonard Bernstein’s attention; he gave her full scholarships to the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, where she studied with Phyllis Curtin. She debuted at Tanglewood in 1976 in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa, who invited her for a series of concerts with the BSO at Symphony Hall during the 1978-1979 season.
The superb artists of Encompass Arts join forces for a magnificent evening of song.
Wagnerian tenor, Adam Laurence Herskowitz, returned to the Metropolitan Opera for the second consecutive season in 2011. Adam sang the FIRST ARMED MAN and cover the role of FROH. Adam was also seen in Fanciulla, Boccanegra and Ariadne. He joined the MET on tour in Japan. In 2012, Adam will sing Calaf with the Toledo Opera, a role he will reprise with the Minnesota Opera. Adam was the second place winner in the Wagnerian category at the prestigious Liederkranz Competition in January 2011. In the 2009-2010 season, Adam sang the Captain in Boccanegra starring Placido Domingo and the Messenger in Aida, broadcast world wide in HD in movie theaters.
Much sought after for her portrayal of the Queen of the Night, Anna Vikre has appeared in Die Zauberflöte in Mexico City at Bellas Artes (televised live throughout South America), Florida Grand Opera, Opera Columbus, Connecticut Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera Pacific, Nashville Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Stadttheater Geißen among others. She made her debut with Orlando Opera as Norina in Don Pasquale, a role she has also performed with Utah Festival Opera, Lake George Opera and in D_sseldorf at Deutche Oper am Rhein. Other Donizetti performances include the title role of Marie in La fille du Regiment with Michigan Opera Theater and Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore with Dayton Opera.
Lisa Vroman starred for several years on Broadway as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. As Christine, she garnered Theatre Critic’s awards for the role in a record breaking run in San Francisco, and did a return engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Ms. Vroman starred as Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella, making her New York City Opera debut with Paul Sorvino in the title role. This season Lisa made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops, starred as Lili Vanessi in Kiss Me Kate with Glimmerglass Opera, played Marian Paroo in The Music Man with Shirley Jones( Mrs. Paroo) and Patrick Cassidy( Harold Hill) at The Bushnell Theatre in Hartford; sang the role of Birdie in Regina with Utah Opera, conducted by Keith Lockhart;
Character Tenor, Jamin Flabiano performs the role of Alfred in Die Fledermaus with New Rochelle Opera in June of 2011, and will be seen as Goro in Sarasota Opera’s 2011 Fall production of Madama Butterfly. He returns to the Fort Worth Opera to perform Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro in 2012. Jamin was most recently seen as Bardolfo in Falstaff with Mercury Opera in Rochester, New York and Ali in Zémire et Azor at the Greenwood Music Festival in South Carolina. He debuted at Toledo Opera as Bardolfo and returned to Carnegie Hall to perform New Music works in collaboration with the Remarkable Theater Brigade.
Daniel Serafin has been praised as an artist of outstanding promise in opera, recital and orchestral concerts. The young Austrian baritone’s operatic repertoire spans from the classics to modern works, in his portrayals as Marcello in La Boheme, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus, Cascada in The Merry Widow, Count Homonay in The Gypsy Baron, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Sid in Albert Herring, Silvio in Pagliacci, the Composer in Viva la Mamma, the Black Cat/Clock in L’enfant et les sortilèges as well as the Count of Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro.
Angelo Marchese, “exquisite tenor…with great expression and impeccable technical proficiency.” (Miami Herald) triumphed in the title role of legendary producer, Phil Ramone’s world premiere of “Lanza” in 2010. The beauty and versatility of Marchese’s voice takes him across different genres from opera to zarzuela to musical theater and crossover. Known for bringing the “total package” to every performance, Marchese dominates the stage and electrifies his audiences with his virile, sensual and expressive singing. Marchese has collaborated with masters of their genres including composer Thomas Pasatieri, conductor Jose Ramon Tebar, Broadway performer Dave Clemmons and jazz artist Arturo Sandoval.
John Cullum made his Broadway debut as Sir Dinadan in Alan Jay Lerner’s and Frederick Loewe’s Camelot in 1960. He also understudied Richard Burton (King Arthur) and Roddy McDowell (Arthur’s son Mordred),[5] going on four times when Burton became ill and succeeding McDowell. He would go on to play Laertes opposite Burton’s 1964 Broadway performance as Hamlet[6] (and in the film version of the production) and in Burton’s final Broadway appearance in Noel Coward’s Private Lives in 1983.[7] In 1965, he was called in to replace Louis Jourdan during the Boston tryout of the musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. [8] It was his first starring role on Broadway, netting him a Theatre World Award and his first Tony Award nomination.
Whether in concert or on stage in an opera, tenor Philip Webb receives rave reviews for being one the most remarkable voices in classical music today Mr. Webb has applied the same dynamic intensity and interpretative skill to a growing German tenor repertoire. Appearing as Erik in Der fliegende Holländer, Siegmund in Die Walküre, Lohengrin in Lohengrin, Walter in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos. Following his Metropolitan Opera debut as Manrico in Il Trovatore during the 2008-2009 Season, Mr. Webb returned as, Calaf in Turandot and Erik in Der Fliegende Hollander in 2009-2010. He also joined the Opera National de Lorraine in the title role in Otello and reprised his much heralded portrayal of Radames in Aida at the Bregenz Festival during the 2007-2008 season
The versatile American singer Laura Pedersen brings to opera houses and to concert halls, an exciting lyric soprano voice, beauty and a rare ability to make each role come alive on stage.
In the 2011-2012 season, Laura reprised the role of Hanna Glawari with Opera Delaware. In the fall, she will return to the Opera Shorts Troupe for a performance at Carnegie Hall to sing a work by Jake Heggie. She will return to Opera Panama for her first Mimi in La Boheme. This will be followed by concerts in the newly formed duo of Harp&Heels, as well as another Hanna Glawari in her home state of Iowa for Cedar Rapids Opera Theater.
Metropolitan Opera soprano, Irina Rindzuner, was born in Russia. In the 2011- 2012 season, Ms. Rindzuner sang Turandot live stream with the Braunschweig Staatstheater , Turandot with Saarlaendisches Staatstheater , and Trovatore with Landestheater Linz . Irina covered Minnie at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and debuted as Minnie at the Tiroler Landstheater.
Upcoming for Ms. Rindzuner is Abigaille in Erfurt, a return to the New York City Ballet for Russian Seasons and Turandot with Minnesota Opera.
Born in Australia to French and Italian parents, soprano Gisele Blanchard has sung throughout France and Italy. She has made her debut at the Rome Opera with Sophie in Werther conducted by Alain Lombard, which she later reprised at the Teatro Vittorio Emmanuel in Messina conducted by Laurent Campellone. Gisele debuted in the role of Melisande in Ariane et Barbe-bleu at the Teatro Regio of Torino, conducted by Emmanuel Villaume.
American soprano Sara Heaton, noted for her “gleaming lyricism” by Opera News Online and her “sweet, pure soprano” by the Chicago Tribune, is gaining recognition as a sensitive performer of both opera standards and new works. This season, Sara won first prize in the Marie Kraja international singing competition in Albania.
Kamal Khan has performed with many opera companies around the world including the Metropolitan Opera, Dallas Opera, Baltimore Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil, Teatro Bellas Artes Mexico City, Oper der Stadt Bonn and the Stasttheater Schwerin, Germany, Opera de Puerto Rico, Palacio de las Artes in Valencia and the In
Enjoying a 25-year career as a stage performer, Dean Anthony has quickly established himself as a Stage Director on the operatic scene with his gritty, energetic, and physical productions of TOSCA at Florentine Opera, Anton Coppola’s SACCO AND VANZETTI with Opera Tampa, RIGOLETTO, CARMEN, AND MARRIAGE OF FIGARO at St. Petersburg Opera, THE MERRY WIDOW and BARBER OF SEVILLE at Opera on the James, MAN OF LA MANCHA, SWEENEY TODD, LA TRAGÉDIE DE CARMEN, and HANSEL AND GRETEL with Augusta Opera. As the Resident Stage Director & Director of Production of Shreveport Opera since 2009, Mr. Anthony directed and produced MAN OF LA MANCHA, LA BOHÈME, TOSCA, MADAMA BUTTERFLY, MANON LESCAUT,
Marcello Giordani is, arguably, “the greatest leading tenor of his generation” – “Opera News”, March 2008. Marcello Giordani has been hailed by the international press as one of the most important tenors on the opera stage today. He has appeared in all of the world’s major opera houses and has sung with many of today’s most renown conductors. His exceptional versatility and vocal range have allowed him to encompass a vast repertory, running the gamut from the Bel Canto operas of Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini and the lyricism of the French operatic repertoire, to the more dramatic roles of Verdi and Puccini.
Upon completion of studies in composition at Oberlin Conservatory, and biology at Oberlin College, Stefan Lano was a Graduate Fellow in Composition at Harvard University from which he holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Awarded a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service, he further
Tenor Adam Cromer has been praised for both his exciting voice and his emotional character portrayals. His recent performance of Cavaradossi with OperaLancaster was noted for “splendid, long-held high notes” and a “luxuriant tenor that matched the revolutionary fervor of the painter.” His numerous performance credits include the roles of Lennie Small in Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men, Sam in Floyd’s Susannah, Alfredo in La Traviata, Don José in Carmen, and Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana. He has performed with companies throughout the US including Chautauqua Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Carolina, American Opera Projects, Utah Festival Opera, and Union Avenue Opera
Sicilian baritone, Giovanni Guagliardo, is quickly establishing himself as an important young baritone to watch on the international opera scene. Upcoming engagements for Mr.Guagliardo include: Ostasio in Francesca da Rimini at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste and L’Africaine with the Opera Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall. Last season he performed the Faure Requiem at the Teatro Bellini in Catania, SONORA at Torre del Lago, MARULLO in Beijing on tour with the Teatro Regio di Parma and MARCELLO at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari. In the 2009-2010 season he sang MONTANO in Otello at the Champ Elysees in Paris, FREDRIC in Lakme at Palma de Mallorca, MARCELLO at the Teatro Bellini and SHARPLESS at the Staatsoper Hamburg.
The Gold Mask 2007 Prize for Young Emerging Conductors was awarded to Maestro Valerio Galli upon the DVD release of Tosca, on the Dynamic label, from the 53rd Puccini Festival Torre del Lago production directed by Mario Corradi. Born in Viareggio in 1980, Valerio Galli received his diploma in piano with top marks and honors under the guidance of Fabrizio Papi and Nadia Puccinelli. He obtained a Composition Diploma in 2008 under Pietro Rigacci also with top marks. He enjoyed a brief career as a concert pianist, giving concerts in Budapest, Barcelona, New York, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Paris, Tokyo, London, Peking, Abu Dhabi and Tripoli.
Anthony Laciura, the HBO star of Boardwalk Empire muses “Time flies when you’re enjoying yourself.” That popular sentiment occurred to Anthony as he heard an announcer introduce him as the host for a Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera broadcast. The facts, for the moment, startled him:
860 performances of some 59 roles! “I did all that?” he thought to himself. For the past twenty-five consecutive seasons, yes, he did all that.
Harp & Heels is the Dynamic team of harpist Calvin Stokes and soprano Laura Pedersen. They consistently tease and test each others musical boundaries, resulting in a whimsically diverse repertoire that includes, not only their classical foundation, but also Jazz, Country, Broadway and Pop. In addition, they present beloved classics in new and innovative ways without changing the essential core of what made them timeless.
These international competition winners are Classically-trained and have many Classical performances to their credit.
Georgian mezzo soprano,Mzia Nioradze, made her Metropolitan Opera debut in War and Peace singing Elena, Matriosha and Mavra Kusminichna. She was also featured as Maddelena in Rigoletto. Mzia sang the title role of Carmen at the San Francisco Opera. She returned to Lyon as Marina in Boris Godunov and sang Dalila in St.Petersburg conducted by Valery Gergiev. She was highly praised for her performances of Azucena in Verdi’s Trovatore in Marseilles. Career highlights include: Azucena (Toulon), Fricka (Marinsky Theater) conductor- Valery Gergiev, Azucena (Santiago de Chile) Adalgisa (Opera de Vichy) Ulrica,
Soprano, Amy Cofield Williamson has performed to critical acclaim across the U.S. and in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, England, Santo Domingo, Taiwan and Guam. Highly regarded for her “technical facility,” her “beauty of interpretation” and an “arresting presence,” Amy was a regional finalist in the MET National Council Auditions at Orchestra Hall in Chicago, and has been praised by the New York Times for her “lovely, rich tone.” Opera roles included Mimi, with Pro Cantus Lyric Opera in Texas, and Violetta with Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and Chorale, a role that marked her debut at Houston Grand Opera where she covered Renee Fleming.
Roman Korotin a.k.a Roy Keane
Film composer and producer, born in Ukraine in 1977.
Started his career as producer in early 90s, doing scores for local theatre, then joined the creative team at the radio-station, where he developed skills not just as a producer, but also as a sound engineer.
In 1995 Roman releases first single as composer/producer scoring 2nd position in National Charts.
Late 90s – moves to United Kingdom. Works in Manchester doing scores for different British TV channels, including BBC.
In 2003 – moves to USA – Washington DC, works in close collaboration with ArtmanGia Production Company.